Whether you are using your PC, iPhone, or Android playback device, there is nothing worse than poor headphone audio quality, and in this case, your headphones are playing at a very low volume. There are different reasons why your headphones are so quiet, and understanding why it happens is the first method of fixing this problem.
Common reasons, like problems with the headphone plug, connectivity, or even a malfunctioning headphone driver, can all make your headphones sound quiet. If your headphones are in good condition but still sound quiet, below are some ways you can make them louder.
1. Check the Volume Limit on Your Device
One of the common reasons why headphones sound quiet despite cranking up the volume is the volume limit on your playback device. Adjusting the volume limit lets you change the maximum volume output to your earbuds or headphones. Follow the instructions below to remove the volume limits either on iPhone or Android phones.
For iPhone users, open Settings> Music> Volume Limit on your device. There you will see a slider that represents the maximum volume. Move it to the right to increase the volume to the maximum. For EU users, you are disabling the EU Volume Limit so that your headphones can exceed 85 decibels.
For Android users, open Settings> Sounds> Volume on your device. You will see the volume levels for different functions, like ringtones and alarms. Ensure the ‘media’ volume is set to the right to adjust the playback volume.
2. Download a New Music App
There is no shortage of music apps for Android, iPhone, and Windows users. Most of the music apps can be installed and used to improve the overall output volume of the device in question. Most music apps provide advanced settings and functionalities that could improve audio quality.
Use a Music Player App
There are a few best music apps for different devices you can check out. One notable media app player is VLC. It supports all media formats, is compatible with Android, Windows, and even iPhone, and can improve your device’s volume by 200%. If VLC does not do the trick, below are some popular apps to boost the volume on different devices.
Some of the best music player apps for Android users are AIMP, Pi Music Player, BlackPlayer EX, Musicolet, DoubleTwist Music Player, MediaMonkey, and Oto Music.
For iPhone users, you can check out Vox music player, Cesium, Listen: The Gesture Music Player, Radsone Hi-Res Player, Flacbox, and Foobar.
For Windows PCs, check out MusicBee, foobar2000, MediaMonkey, AIMP, Dopamine, and Winamp.
3. Install Volume-Boosting Apps
If adjusting the volume limit or downloading a new music app does not work, you should try a volume-boosting app. Volume boosting apps give your device a significant boost in the overall volume output. Whether you’re using Windows, Android, or iPhone, there are volume-boosting apps you can try out.
For Android, check out Super Volume Booster, Volume Booster GOODEV, Extra Volume Booster, Volume Booster PRO, and Super High Volume Booster.
For iPhone users, try Bass Booster, KaiserTone, ONKYO HF Player Volume Boost, and Equalizer+.
For Windows users, use Boom 3D, DeskFX Audio Enhancer, FxSound, Equalizer APO, or Letasoft Sound Booster.
4. Use a Headphone Amplifier
Headphones are tiny speakers and, just like regular speakers, require amplification to sound best. Headphone amplifiers are explicitly built to power headphones. Depending on the impedance and sensitivity of your headphones, you can decide whether your headphone will benefit from a headphone amplifier or not.
Hifiman EF400 Headphone Amp and Hifiman Arya V2 Audiophile Headphones
Phones and computers have their miniature amps. However, these in-built amps sometimes cannot power some headphones effectively. With an external headphone amplifier, you plug your headphones in, then plug the headphone amplifier into your computer or phone. This setup pushes the audio signal from the playback device through the amp and to your headphones.
This results in a warmer, richer, and more powerful sound. The advantage of a headphone amplifier is not that the sound will be louder, but the sound will be richer and more powerful, with minimum distortion.
If you’re looking for a headphone amplifier to start with, I would recommend checking out the Schiit Magni 3 or the Fiio K3.
The Schiit Magni 3 is an inexpensive headphone amplifier that has the power to drive even power-hungry headphones.
Wrapping Up
Apart from the steps outlined above, simple things like cleaning your headphones to remove accumulated dust or debris, changing the earpads, and using headphones in a quiet place can make them louder. Be sure to check out our informative guide on some of why your headphones are so quiet. You can also read this informative guide to make your headphones sound better.
